Sachin BOWLED; Experts say "it's a worrying sign"

Bangalore, Sep 3: India's legendary batsman, who got out bowled for the third time in the series, has raised an alarm as veteran Sunil Gavaskar was quite surprised to see that the batsman got out bowled for the third time in the series, as there was a lot of gap between the bat and the pad.

A Tim Southee delivery uprooted the middle stump on Monday, as Sachin Tendulkar was dismissed for 27, his highest in the series, as he was out in a similar fashion (bowled by Boult and Bracewell) on other occasions for 19 and 17 respectively.

It isn't that he has not been bowled so far during his 23 year old career, as he has been declared out 51 times in the same fashion, but since it is the third time in the series, it poses a threat.

Last time he was bowled in three consecutive innings was in 2002 against England, while he was dismissed by Hoggard, Cork and Michael Vaughan.

Interestingly, Sachin Tendulkar's record in the last 24 innings are quite bad, and pose a threat as he has been Bowled or given out LBW 12 times including the tour of England 2011.

Former India captain, Sunil Gavaskar also raised questions over Sachin's foot movement after his dismissal in the first innings against New Zealand during the Bangalore Test, as Bracewell dismissed him for 17.

Gavaskar also pointed out that "there was a big gap between the bat and the pad" and said that "it was a worrying sign"

While Former India cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar also raised doubts over Sachin's ability to tackle full length deliveries as he has been struggling to play them.

Manjrekar also said that it could be attributed to the ageing factor as they had plans to bowl fuller length deliveries to Javed Miandad before he retired from international cricket, as evern spinners were asked to bowl full length deliveries to him.

"Even the spinners were instructed to bowl full to him," Manjrekar said.

Gavaskar agreed with Manjrekar's logic, saying, "With age, the feet doesn't come to the pitch of the ball ... eyes don't pick up the ball early."

Does it mean, age is catching up with Sachin Tendulkar, having been bowled fr 51 times, thrice in the series, is it time to bid adieu?

When Rahul Dravid was bowled six times out of 8 innings, against England and Australia, he decided to announce his retirement. He was bowled 55 times in his 16-year long career, with Sachin being bowled 51 times already, will he beat Dravid, to make another unique record?